Biosphere is the region of the earth where life can exist and grow. It is also known as the Ecosphere, which means constitution of all the ecosystems existing worldwide.
Let’s learn about Biosphere in detail, including its components, reserves, and some related facts.
Biosphere Definition
The biosphere, or “zone of life,” an energy-diverting layer that uses the matter of Earth to create living substance, was created by this development of life in the thin outer layer of the geosphere.
According to some definitions, it is practically a closed structure in terms of matter, with few inputs and outputs. It is an open system that uses photosynthesis to absorb solar energy at a rate of about 130 Terawatts per year.
The system is self-regulating and nearly in energy equilibrium. The biosphere, according to the broad sense of physiology, is the ecological system that includes all living creatures and their relationships, including their interactions with the lithosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
Components of Biosphere
Biosphere is made up of the parts of the earth where life exists not only human but also plant and animal life. It includes deep forests to grassland from ocean to rain forests from mountains to plains.
Biosphere consists of the following components :
- Lithosphere
- Atmosphere
- Hydrosphere
Components of Biosphere
Lithosphere
It is the terrestrial component of the Biosphere. It means it contains solid ground masses like Islands and Continents.
Its lower mantle and core are the only parts that do not support life and are not, therefore, a part of the biosphere. Everything else supports life by giving it shelter and nourishment, from the smallest germs to the largest beasts and huge trees.
Atmosphere
The gaseous covering over the Earth is called the atmosphere. The atmosphere consists of various gases like oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc to help living organisms like Plants, human beings, etc to survive.
However, the upper part of the atmosphere has a low oxygen content, which is why flying birds can be found below 200 m of the Earth’s surface. In addition to providing gases for respiration, the atmosphere has a specific function in shielding living things from the sun’s damaging UV radiation.
Hydrosphere
All of the Earth’s waters are referred to as the hydrosphere. Consequently, it is also known as the aquatic region. But it also contains solid formations, such as glaciers.
The hydrosphere, which supports life, is crucial in controlling Earth’s temperature. Additionally, it provides the water needed by all living organisms.
Biosphere Resources
Important resources are provided by the biosphere. Many people depend on the biosphere for essentials including food, medicine, building supplies, and fuel. All food comes from the biosphere, with the exception of salt, yet developed societies choose farming over scavenging.
The biosphere, which extends from a few kilometers into the sky to deep-sea vents, is a relatively small layer of the Earth’s surface that sustains life. The biosphere is a large-scale ecosystem made up of living things (biotic) and the non-living (abiotic) elements that sustain them.
Biosphere Reserves in India
Biosphere reserve is a populated area made up of both land and coastal ecosystems that provides a means for sustainable use.
The state governments provide systematic maintenance for the biosphere reserves, which are highly generally known. These are primarily used for research on land and in the sea.
Here is the list of 18 notified Biosphere Reserves in India :
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve | Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka |
| Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve | Uttarakhand |
| Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve | Tamil Nadu |
| Nokrek Biosphere Reserve | Meghalaya |
| Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve | West Bengal |
| Manas Biosphere Reserve | Assam |
| Simlipal Biosphere Reserve | Odisha |
| Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve | Madhya Pradesh |
| Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve | Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh |
| Great Rann of Kutch Biosphere Reserve | Gujarat |
| Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve | Himachal Pradesh |
| Khangchendzonga National Park | Sikkim |
| Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve | Kerala and Tamil Nadu |
| Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve | Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
| Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve | Assam |
| Seshachalam Hills | Andhra Pradesh |
| Panna Biosphere Reserve | Madhya Pradesh |
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Importance of Biosphere
Biosphere is crucial for all living organisms for several reasons. Following is a list of some of them:
- The ecosystem required for survival is provided by the biosphere. The biosphere’s climate is something that living things should be able to adapt to. Ecosystems support biodiversity, and the biosphere provides a dependable source of nutrition for all life on Earth. The term “biodiversity” refers to biological variation.
- Biosphere reserves are restricted places for the preservation of flora and fauna. Additionally, it contributes in maintaining the traditional way of living of the local tribes. They guard the biodiversity of the area. The greatest level of the ecological structure is the biosphere. It includes each type of species and every biome on the planet.
- The biosphere supports life on Earth by contributing to the management of the hydrological (water) cycle, soil health, and composition of the atmosphere. The biosphere is a small area of the earth’s surface where soil, water, and air work together to support life. Only in this region is life possible.
Biosphere Examples
- The part of the world where living creatures reside is known as the biosphere, which also includes the air and the surface of the planet. The area where life exists on, above, and below the surface of the Earth is referred to as the biosphere. the region of the planet that is naturally home to life, which extends from the deep crust to the lower atmosphere.
- The biosphere also referred to as the ecosphere, is the dynamic, unknown biological skin of the planet. It is where living things naturally live. It is composed of the hydrosphere, the lower atmosphere, and the surface of the lithosphere.
- The entire ecological system of the planet is known as the biosphere. It includes every type of life that exists on Earth as well as every habitat that can support life. The biosphere is made up of numerous biomes. These regions have particular climatic conditions, flora, fauna, and adaptation requirements in order to survive.
- The primary energy source for ecological operations is photosynthesis. The biosphere’s processes are entangled with those of the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Biological processes significantly affect how much CO2 is present in the atmosphere by balancing photosynthesis and respiration.
Biosphere Facts
- Biopoiesis and biogenesis are processes that drive the evolution of the biosphere. While biogenesis refers to the process of life emerging from living matter, biopoiesis is the process of life emerging from a non-living entity.
- According to estimates from scientists, there are 8.7 million distinct species in the biosphere. Approximately 2.2 million people reside underwater, whereas 6.5 million dwell on land.
- Uncertainty surrounds the biosphere’s actual depth. Some fish are thought to reside below 8,300 m of water.
- Biosphere 1 is the natural biosphere of Earth. But certain artificial or man-made biospheres, like Biosphere 2 and Biosphere 3, were built exclusively for scientific investigation.
- The greatest component of the biosphere is the hydrosphere. 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered with it.
- The biosphere is thought to extend 21,500 m from the surface of the Earth to the bottom of the deepest ocean.
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FAQs on Biosphere
Define Biosphere.
Biosphere is a part of the surface of earth and atmosphere where all plants and animals can survive and live
List the Components of Biosphere.
The main components of the Biosphere are:
- Lithosphere
- Atmosphere
- Hydrosphere
What are the Benefits of Biosphere?
The benefits of the Biosphere are:
- Work as a Pollution Marker.
- Help to check Pollutants in the Environment.
- Eliminate harmful Toxic from the Earth.
- Provide us food and raw materials.
- Help to generate Organic Matter.
- Promotes Life on Earth.
How are Biosphere Reserves Structured?
The biosphere reserve is structured in three environmental zones namely:
- Core Zone
- Buffer Zone
- Manipulation Zone
What steps are taken to preserve the biosphere?
After understanding the importance of the biosphere the United Nations started a project called Man and the biosphere in the 1970s to promote sustainable development. Currently, there are around 600 bio reserves in the world set to promote sustainable development.
How did the presence of oxygen change the biosphere?
Over a long period of time, the composition of the atmosphere changed to a level where it become a mixture of many gases and oxygen and nitrogen because the gases present maximum. With the presence of oxygen, it was now possible for more complex organisms to survive on the earth.
How many Biosphere Reserves are there in India?
At present, there are total 18 Biosphere Reserves in India.
Where is Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve?
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located in the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills ranges of South India. It covers parts of the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
Where is Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve located?
The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It covers the Pachmarhi and Bori Sanctuaries and Satpura National Park.